As stated on the Welcome page, we are losing our beloved family members far too quickly. However, the realities of day-to-day life can in many ways preclude personal attendance at every memorial service.

I am dedicating this page to the loved ones lost since 2000, listed in the order of departure. In so doing we can all pay our respects in the best way we can, wherever we can.

Note: I have tried very hard to make the following images as clear and legible as possible but with limited success. If anyone would like to receive a copy of either document via email please send your request to me via email @ tony@rcoclaims.com.

Bill was the eldest offspring of Georgia and William "Buster" Brown, Jr., son of Fredricka and Samuel Ewing. He was very special to me as he was to many. He allowed me to crash at his Laurel Canyon home for several weeks in 1969 while I transitioned from military life back to civilian. During this time, and beyond, we had many in-depth discussions that imparted jewels of wisdom that I continue to live by to this day. Having grown up without a father I consider Bill the single greatest male influence in my life; thank God I had the opportunity to tell him so.

Although Hulene passed at age 94 many felt that it was too soon. She was the eldest offspring of Levana and Willie Ewing, Sr., son of Samuel and Fredricka Ewing. I did not know her well but according to many, that was my loss.

All of my writings about the tragic loss of beloved family members has come full circle. I lost my mother on February 29, 2016. This was the most painful and life-altering experience of my life. In lay terms she died of old age, i.e., it was God's time for her. She was suffering from severe dementia, in constant pain, and had become incapable of caring for herself. I try to focus on the fact that she is now free of a failing body but this makes her loss no less painful. More than ever my heart goes out to all of you who have, or will, suffer a similar loss in the near term. May God bless our family and continue to watch over our loved ones in the after-life. For those of you who could not attend my mom's funeral you may view her memorial slide-show by cicking on the following link: https://youtu.be/8gokkWj9aNk

Yet another tragic loss, Linda Daniels of Chicago has passed. She was still young and full of life. Although I had met Linda only a few times she was always kind and considerate. This impression of her was borne out by comments received from other family members. The recent loss of her mother and multiple siblings makes her sudden passing particularly jarring. I wish her well in her afterlife.

Walter Brown, Sr., "Uncle Walter" to hundreds of relatives, peacefully passed away in his sleep on November 3, 2014. His generous, caring, and colorful life left an enormous footprint in the lives of his many family members and friends. I have no doubt that stories about Uncle Walter will be told for generations to come. Godspeed Uncle.

Yet another tragic loss in our family. Shirley Houston was the daughter of James Houston, Jr., son of Alice Brown, eldest offspring of Mama and Papa Brown. She was only 56 years young.

Another tragic loss of a family elder: Dorothy Ewing Neely, Daughter of Mildred and Samuel Ewing, son of Samuel and Fredericka Ewing. Dorothy's daughter, Judith, recently wrote the following about her service in a broadcast email message to our family: "My mother looked beautiful and at peace. She is truly missed. Her funeral went well...Aaron Michael and Dorothy were here from Atlanta; and Michael provided wonderful reflection. My mother's only surviing sibling Cordelia and husband (Lester), l along with her children (3) and grandchildren (2) were here from Texas.Thanks for your prayers, calls, and other expressios of love. Judith"

Gone too soon.

Tragically close to the loss of his sister, Claudette (Brown) Rainey (above), we lost Claude D. Brown, Jr. on June 8th, 2011. He was 63. His memorial service was beautiful. The many loving family members and friends in attendance grieved due to his passing yet rejoiced in his life.

Most recently we have lost Claudette (Brown) Rainey, daughter of Claude Brown, son of Mama and Papa Brown. Her funeral services took place in Kansas City, MO in April 2010. I did not know her well but she was adored and respected by many. This is indeed another great loss.

We also lost James C. Houston, Jr. He passed away in March of this year. He was 76. Although he was my mother's biological brother (they were both born to Alice), they were separated due to different fathers and Alice's death while they were both small children. They found each after 50 years of separation and kept in constant contact until his death. It was obvious at his funeral that he was a very generous and kind father, grandfather, great grandfather, uncle, and friend to many. He, too, will be missed.

We lost Donald R. Brown in July of 2009. He was 70. I sincerely regret that I saw very little of him over the past 10 years.

We lost William "Buster" Brown, Jr. in October of 2007. He was 94. Thank God many of us were blessed with his company at the July 2007 reunion. How perfect was it that the So. Cal location did not require him to travel. There were many testimonials at his funeral and repast of love, respect, and appreciation.

Ethel Lee (Webb) Thompson is the sister of Ella Mae Webb, and others, and daughter of Ella Brown Webb. Ella Brown Webb is the sister of William "Papa" Brown and Jim Brown (of Houston), and daughter of Maggie McBride Brown and Mack Brown. Ethel Lee (Webb) Thompson and Clarence Thompson are the parents and grandparents of the Thompsons of Houston.

Mom,

As I walk through this journey of life,
I remember.
I remember how you helped me to grow
With love, truth, and honesty.
I remember how you helped me to choose the right path
With values, morals, and self worth.
I remember how you shaped my dreams
With hope and confidence.
As I remember,
I pray to be a parent like you,
To shape my children into strong adults,
Full of hopes and dreams.
You made me who I am today,
And I will always remember you in life's passings
For no one could touch my life as you have.

Ken

A devastating loss to our family was the passing of Annabelle "Girlie" Brown Rice in 2002. She born to Mama and Papa Brown on January 12, 1920 in Houston, Texas. She was one of my closest and dearest relatives. As evidenced by her memorial service program, she was loved by many.